Charges upgraded against teen involved in fatal Gwinnett crash

LAWRENCEVILLE - A teenager involved in a car crash that killed a 70-year-old Sugar Hill man last week faces additional charges, according to Gwinnett County police.

Police confirmed 17-year-old MacKenzie Lauren Stephenson of Suwanee has now been charged with second degree vehicular homicide as well as failure to yield in connection with the November 20 accident. Both charges are misdemeanors.

Police said Joe Fairchild was taken to the hospital following the two-car crash on Highway 20 at Old Cumming Road. He died there from his injuries.

A police report indicates the teen turned left into Fairchild's path. The report says witnesses told police both vehicles were traveling at a rate of 45 mph at the time of the crash. The report also says Stephenson admitted fault for the crash at the scene.